Fluid handling apparatus



INVENTOR 0/1/9255 MFLEO'K,

Filed April 14, 1953 C H FLECK FLUID HANDLING APPARATUS Oct. 11, 1955 ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice FLUID HANDLING APPARATUS Charles H. Fleck, Altoona, Pa. Application April 14, 1953, Serial No. 348,643

2 Claims. (Cl. 222--195) This invention relates to improvements in fluid handling devices and more particularly to a novel form of fluid agitating, dispensing and transfer apparatus for use wherever it is desired to accurately control the agitation and dispensing, or simultaneous mixing and dispensing, or transfer of fluids.

The proper and accurate dispensing of pharmaceutic fluids such as medicines, syrups and the like in definite quantities has heretofore been diflicult with the present day apparatus because none has been conveniently available for use by the individual druggist or doctor. Much of the present day apparatus is too expensive, cumbersome and complicated for use by the average pharmacist or doctor and many times is inadequate because of awkwardness in handling fluids to fill ordinary prescriptions because frequently it requires both hands of the operator to make the required manipulation of the apparatus to obtain the desired accurate measurement of the fluid dispensed. Furthermore, when handling syrupy or sticky fluids these tend to clog up or corrode the valves of the present day apparatus and require frequent, cleaning to maintain the same in a sanitary and workable condition for the purpose intended.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of pressurized apparatus for controlling the agitation and/or flow of fluid from a container with which it may be associated.

Another object of the invention isto provide control apparatus of the character designated including a novel form of valve device associated with a container so as to transfer fluid from the container without having the fluid pass through the movable valve parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of simple and effective control valve which shall facilitate agitation of the fluid prior to discharge and also regulate agitation and flow during the discharge of fluid from the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character described which shall be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and at the same time provide accurate and convenient manipulation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of fluid dispensing apparatus of the character designated which shall be more easily maintained in a sanitary condition by not permitting the dispensed fluid to pass through any movable valve parts.

These and other objects of the invention will be more mainfest from the following specification and drawings and more fully set forth in the claims;

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view partially in section of the valve control mechanism.

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view on line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a partial sectional View on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown an assembly of fluid transfer apparatus embodying the present invention wherein a container 10 is provided with a closed pressure type cap 11 forming a support base for the control parts and connections for.

agitating and dispensing fluid therefrom. The cap 11 is preferably made of'metal and of a size which shall fit many standard sized container necks, but it is obvious that it may be made of plastic material if desired.

The cap 11 is preferably of the screw thread type and is provided with a sealing gasket 12. This cap is preferably of a size adapted to form a convenient support for a control valve 13 of the rotary plug type having a tapered hollow casing 14 and a tapered plug 15 ground to provide a sealing fit as well understood in the art. The valve casing 14 is mounted directly on the top surface of the cap 11 as by brazing or solder (not shown) to form an integral removable unit. The valve plug 15 is operated by a handle 16 conveniently located relative to the cap 11 so that the cap may form a hand rest and readily permit the valve to be accurately manipulated through a desired angle with one hand and thereby greatly facilitate use of the apparatus under a wide variety of practical working conditions.

Fluid pressure, such as compressed air, for example, is supplied to the container from any convenient source (not shown) by a conduit 17 connected to the valve casing 14 by an inlet port connection 18, a passage 19 formed in the valve plug 15, and an outlet passage 20 formed in the lower portion of the valve casing. The

valve casing passage 20 is contiguous with an appropriate opening formed in the cap 11 with which it forms an integral part. A conduit or tube 211 extends downwardly into the container 10 from the valve port 20 close to the bottom of the bottom thereof. This conduit is preferably made of glass tubing and having the 1 so as to connect passage 19 lower extremity curved or angularly disposed relative to the bottom of the container and the outlet tube 22 so that the incoming air shall agitate or stir the fluid at the bottom and cannot pass directly to the tube 22. This is of particular advantage in handling certain fluids which require constant agitation during transfer and this is accomplished by the bubbling action of the air through the fluid. It will be seen that all incoming air accomplishes the dual purpose of first agitating the fluid and then build up a pressure on the surface of the fluid in the container for dispensing scribed.

If for any reason it is desired to discharge fluid without first agitating it, it is only necessary to rotaterhe valve 15 with inlet port 18 and port 20'. The relation of the valve passage and ports is shown in Fig. 3.

Discharge of fluid is eflfected by an interior conduit 22 carried by the cap 11 and reaching near thelower region of the container. This tube is also preferably of glass. An exterior spout connection 23 is supported on the cap 11 by a plug connection 24 appropriately supporting a continuous glass connection with the interior conduit 22 so that the unit as a whole may integrally form a removable unit. The discharge end of the spout 23 is conveniently closed or protected by a removable cover plug 25 to keep it free of contamination and in a sanitary condition. The interior of the container 10 is vented during certain stages of operation, fluid agitation only, for example, by a valve controlled vent opening formed in the under side of the cap 11 as indicated by the numeral 26. This opening connects with a port passage 27 formed in the valve casing 14 which in turn connects with a valve plug passage 28 and an exterior valve casing port 29 opening to atmosphere.

Furthermore, this construction is desirable to elfect purposes as hereinafter more fully de- Patented Oct. 11, 1955 non-dripping at the spout 23 when fluid pressure is shut oif. The non-dripping is due to siphoning action occasioned by reduction of pressure in the containers when fluid pressure is shut 01f. My invention further contemplates replacing the cover 25 with a spray nozzle of any suitable construction for certain operations and when such is the case, the siphoning action serves to automatically clean the nozzle by drawing atmospheric air back through the nozzle openings and thus clear them of any residual fluid.

An important feature of the proposed valve construction and arrangement is that the valve plug passages 19 and 28 are angularly displaced relative to each other, and the valve casing ports conveniently arranged so that the rotative movement of the valve plug shall effect the desired accurate control of the incoming air pressure to produce the desired discharge flow or dispensing of the fluid from the container. The relative location and position of the valve ports and passages to obtain the desired control is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It will be noted that the arrangement of the valve plug passages 19 and 28 is such that in an initial position of the valve, all air passage through the valve is shut off. By a small rotative movement of the valve handle 16, 10 for example, the vent 29 is slightly opened and by continued movement of the valve 15, 20 for example, air will then be admitted to the container 10 by conduit 17, port 18, passage 19, port 20 and conduit 21 and thus agitate the fluid at the bottom of the container and bubble through to the surface of the fluid indicated by the numeral 30. While the valve is in this position the vent 29 is partially opened to the atmosphere to permit escape of air pressure from the surface of the liquid, and thereby causing the fluid to be agitated to the desired extent and independently of any discharge because of lack of pressure. After the required agitation and it is desired to pressurize the fluid, the valve is further rotated 45 for example, to increase the air inlet flow and progressively close the vent 29 and thereby build up pressure in the container sufficiently for the desired fluid flow discharge. When the valve is in position as shown in Fig. 2, full air pressure is admitted to the container with a resulting full discharge of fluid from the spout 23 because the valve vent passage 29 will be fully closed as shown in Fig. 4-.

The range of movement of the valve is conveniently controlled by a stop pin 31 provided on the rotary valve plug and arranged to travel in a segmental recess 32 formed in the end of the valve casing 14. One extreme limit of the valve plug rotation is indicated by the ledge stop surface 33 in Fig. 1. Tension on the valve plug 15 in its casing 14 is regulated by threaded screw 34, spring 35 and a washer 36 bearing on the valve casing end. The container 10 may conveniently be filled with liquid through an opening closed by a stopper 37.

Another important feature of the present device is its simplicity of construction and facility of operation. It will be noted that the fluid dispensed does not pass through or contact any moveable parts of the regulator valve. Also it will be noted that in the sequence of operation the fluid is first agitated independently of any discharge and the discharge may be accurately controlled from a minimum discharge of a drop, to a maximum pressure flow discharge by a simple progressive manipulation of the control valve.

The tube or conduits for conducting fluid to or from the container are preferably of glass and can readily be formed to suit the users particular individual requirements. It will be obvious that should it be desired to fill the container by the use of suction pressure, this may be accomplished by removing the tube 21 and connecting the tube 17 to a convenient source of suction or vacuum pressure, and the intensity of suction accurately con trolled by the angular adjustment of valve 15 with its associated ports. In this contemplated use of the apparatus the spout 23 would be connected to a source of fluid to be supplied to the container 10. In any mode of operation of the device, the valve arrangement is such that the transferring fluid is not permitted to pass through the control valve.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious that various other changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing liquid from a container comprising a detachable closure cap for the container, a vertically disposed air inlet tube and a separate outlet tube mounted on the cap to dispense liquid from the container, each of said tubes extending into and near the bottom of the container, a multiway valve casing mounted on top of the cap, said valve casing having a plurality of ports controlled by a multiway rotatable valve plug located in said casing, said casing having a passage connecting with the top end of the said inlet tube, said valve casing having another passage communicating directly with the interior of said container independently of the inlet and outlet tubes, said plug having a valve passage communicating with an air external source of pressure and said inlet tube, and means for operating the valve plug in one position to admit air to agitate and pressurize the liquid in the container and in another position to pressurize the fluid for dispensing without agitation.

2. Apparatus of the character described in claim 1 in which movement of the valve in another position connects the air control passages whereby agitation only is regulated prior to any discharge of the fluid from the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 142,120 Richardson Aug. 26, 1873 659,977 Kitterman Oct. 16, 1900 1,876,860 Cooney Sept. 13, 1932 2,032,095 OLeary Feb. 25, 1936 2,104,454 Filss Jan. 4, 1938 2,492,309 Miller Dec. 27, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,687 Great Britain Sept. 16, 1891 

